1.) How do I set up an account with PFI Rubbish? 2.) What service does PFI Rubbish offer? 3.) Are there things I can't put with my trash? 4.) I'm going on vacation, can I temporarily stop service? 5.) Can PFI take my couch or refrigerator to the landfill? 6.) Can I share an account with my neighbors? CANS 7.) How many cans am I allowed? 8.) Does PFI have dumpsters or bins? 9.) Does PFI provide trash cans? 10.) Where do I place my cans? 11.) Can the driver come up to my house to pick up my cans? SERVICE DAYS AND TIME 12.) Is there service in my area? 14.) Which areas do not have service? 15.) Why does my area have service only once a week? 16.) Can I have service every other week? 17.) When are my service days? 18.) What time will my trash be picked up?
21.) Why wasn't my trash picked up? 22.) Why was some of my trash left behind? 23.) Why was my rubbish service suspended or cancelled? |
GENERAL - 1.) How do I set up an account with PFI Rubbish? You can set up an account by calling our office at 329-3440. We will need your name, service address, billing address and phone number. Return to top of page GENERAL - 2.) What service does PFI Rubbish offer? PFI Rubbish Service offers curbside residential rubbish removal to residents of West Hawaii. Our services do not extend to commercial businesses, dumpsters, construction waste removal, or recycling. Return to top of page GENERAL - 3.) Are there things I can't put with my trash? YES! Paint, used motor oil, acid containers, medical waste, construction waste* and other hazardous materials** cannot be taken to the landfill. More information can be found on the Services & Restrictions page. Styrofoam peanuts, kitty litter and sawdust should be in separate bags. Also, our rubbish trucks will not take large items, such as furniture, appliances, wood or tree branches over 3 feet. *Construction waste can cause serious damage to our trucks and drivers and in some cases are illegal to transport. The following are considered construction material: wood, drywall, pipes, tile, stones, bricks, rocks, paint, varnish or paint thinner, panes of glass, scrap metal, pallets, bags of cement or concrete, cinders, loose dirt & sawdust. **Hazardous materials cannot be transported in our trucks. We cannot transport any of the following items: automotive fluids, car batteries, corrosives, mercury thermometers, oil-based paints and stains, solvents and thinners, garden supplies, poisons, misc hazardous household chemicals, motor oil, explosives, pyrophoric, water- reactive, biological, infectious, radioactive, and shock sensitive materials, as well as, latex paint and base, compressed gas cylinders, flares, fire extinguishers, and detergents. Return to top of page GENERAL - 4.) I'm going on vacation, can I temporarily stop service? Yes. If you will be away for more than one service day, please call our office in advance (at least 48 hours) and let us know your last day of service and when to start again. A credit will be applied to your account for these days only if we are notified in advance. No credit will be applied for cart rentals. Return to top of page GENERAL - 5.) Can PFI take my couch or refrigerator to the landfill? Our rubbish trucks, which have a loading cavity of four feet in width, cannot take large items, such as furniture and appliances, but you can arrange a special pick up by calling our office at 329-3440. The charge is $55.00 - $100.00 plus $1.00/minute for loading. Most special pickups can only be done on Fridays. However, PFI Rubbish does not make regular pickups for large amounts of green waste or construction materials. These need to be handled by regular hauling services. You can also take items to the transfer station yourself. For more information on operating hours and rules, please contact the Department of Environmental Management at 961-8339 Return to top of page GENERAL - 6.) Can I share an account with my neighbors? In most cases, no. You are allowed only one household per account. Even if you own more than one house, each house must have a separate account. Dwellings rented out to more than one family - such as duplexes - must have their landlord or property manager set up an account. [Click here for service information to print out for your tenants]. But if several houses - such as an entire neighborhood or subdivision - would like to setup a joint account, then a representative from your group must call out office for a quote. Return to top of page CANS - 7.) How many cans am I allowed? Most customers are allowed a maximum of three large cans (30-33 gallon size) or two 45-gallon sized cans per pickup. Return to top of page CANS - 8.) Does PFI have dumpsters or bins? No. Our trucks are not capable of picking up dumpsters. Please contact Superior Sanitation 325-1055 or Mr. Rubbish Man 329-4195 or Pacific Waste 326-4911 or Hawaiian Roll-Off Service 329-8225 for dumpsters and roll- offs. Return to top of page CANS - 9.) Does PFI provide trash cans? We do offer cart rentals for our customers. These carts are designed to be picked up by our truck's mechanical arm. We have a 64-gallon cart and a 90-gallon cart . Note we have limited availability on the 90-gallon carts. But we recommend that you purchase your own cans, either three 30- to 33-gallon size or two 45-gallon size. Trash cans and carts can be purchased from Ace Hardware, Home Depot, K-Mart, Lowes or Wal-Mart, but do not get the 90-gallon carts! They do not align with the mechanical cart lifter on our trucks. Keep in mind that the drivers have to lift the cans over their heads to empty them into the truck. Please don't overfill them. Heavy cans (weighing over 60 pounds) will be left behind. Return to top of page CANS - 10.) Where do I place my cans? Your cans need to be placed CURBSIDE in an accessible place for our drivers, so that the truck can pull up next them for loading. They cannot block your mailbox. We prefer NOT to come onto your premises for fear of taking something you DON'T want to be thrown away. Also, make sure your cans are clearly separated from your neighbor's cans. Return to top of page CANS - 11.) Can the driver come up to my house to pick up my cans? No. We no longer offer due to liability. SERVICE - 12.) Is there service in my area? We service only the west side of the Big Island of Hawaii, including Kailua-Kona, Keauhou, Holualoa, Captain Cook, Waimea, Kealakekua and Waikoloa. See our Areas We Service page for specific subdivisions and days of service. Return to top of page SERVICE - 14.) Which areas do not have service? We do not provide service to the following areas:
Return to top of page SERVICE - 15.) Why does my area have service only once a week? Certain areas have service only once a week because there are so few customers in that area that twice a week is often unnecessary. Or the area is too far from our regular routes - such as Napoopoo and Waikii Ranch. Return to top of page SERVICE - 16.) Can I Have Service Every Other Week? We no longer offer this service to our customers and require that they have service at least once a week. There is also a health risk in storing trash for weeks at a time. SERVICE - 17.) When are my service days? Please see the Areas We Service page for the days we service each area or use the Contact Us page for your specific day or days.. Return to top of page SERVICE - 18.) What time will my trash be picked up? Pickup times vary from day to day. For best results, please have your cans or bags out by 7:00 AM on your service day. Return to top of page SERVICE - 19.) Why did the garbage truck come by earlier/later than before? We are rearranging our route schedules to better accommodate our growing community, work around the Highway construction, and we occasionally have mechanical problems. As a result, some areas will have service earlier or later than normal. Return to top of page SERVICE - 20.) Will there be trash service on Thanksgiving and Christmas Day? Yes, we work all holidays, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Years Day. Return to top of page MISSED - 21.) Why wasn't my trash picked up? There are a number of possibilities.
Return to top of page MISSED - 22.) Why was some of my trash left behind?
Please see our Services & Restrictions page for more information Return to top of page MISSED - 23.) Why was my rubbish service suspended or cancelled? Any account that is 14 days overdue, or a new customer that hasn't paid their first bill in over 20 days, may be suspended until a payment has been received. After 90 days the account is cancelled. Return to top of page RECYCLING - 24.) Can PFI take my recycling to the recycle yard for me? No, we no longer perform this service. But you can take them to our neighbors at Atlas Recycling or to the Recycle Hawaii bins at the Kealakehe Transfer Station. Return to top of page RECYCLING - 25.) Is PFI part of the new HI-5 deposit program? No. For more information on Hawaii's Beverage Container Deposit Program, please contact Craig Kawaguchi (961-8549) or Linda Damas (961-8527) with the Hawaii County Department of Environmental management. Our About Recycling page has a list of places that accept cans and bottles. Return to top of page RECYCLING - 26.) Why was my recycling taken with/instead of my trash? If your cans, bottles and newspapers are right next to your trash cans, then the driver took them thinking they were part of your trash. Please keep your recycling away from your cans. Return to top of page BILLING - 27.) Why doesn't my bill come with a return envelope? Due to the high volume of customers and to keep costs down, the majority of our bills are sent out in postcard form. Only special billings, initial billings, semi-annual billings and yearly billings come with a return envelope. If you would like a return envelope, you may come to our office and pick them up. Return to top of page BILLING - 28.) I don't understand my bill... Please see our Billings page for more information on reading your bill. Return to top of page BILLING - 29.) I've lost my bill and don't know what to pay. You can either call our office at (808) 329-3440 or use the Contact Us page. Please be sure to provide your account name, service address and account number. Return to top of page BILLING - 30.) How do I pay my bill? Detach the right side of your bill (or the top portion of your special bill) and mail it with your check or money order payable to: PFI RUBBISH SERVICE 74-5599 Pawai Place Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 To pay by credit card, please phone our office at (808) 329-3440. Return to top of page BILLING - 31.) Can I hand my payment to the driver? Yes, you can. If you wish to leave your payment for the driver to pickup, such as under your doormat, please call the office in advance to let us know. And ask the driver for a receipt. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PAYMENT IN YOUR MAILBOX OR ON THE GARBAGE CAN! We are not allowed to remove anything from mailboxes and your payment might get missed if it's in or on your can. Return to top of page BILLING - 32.) Do you accept credit cards? Yes, we accept Visa, MasterCard, AMEX, Discover Card. We can do a one time charge or automatically charge your credit card at each new billing cycle. Return to top of page BILLING - 33.) Can I make automatic payments through my checking account? We do accept checks made through "bill pay" programs. We ask that you don't automatically pay that same amount every month, because this leads to problems with over-paying and under-paying your account. We cannot take money from your banking account, like the phone company can, since we are not considered a utility. Return to top of page BILLING - 34.) Why was I charged for extra bags? Last month I had just a few cans out... Most customers are allowed an average of 3 cans or bags of rubbish per pickup. Customers with once a week service are allowed a maximum of 12-15 bags a month. Customers with twice a week service are allowed 24-27 bags, depending on whether there are eight or nine pickups a month. Anything over the maximum number allowed is charged $2.00 each. If you had less trash out the month before, you do not receive a credit. Example: Mr. Smith has rubbish service every Monday. Last month there were four Mondays and he was allowed a maximum of twelve bags [4 pickups x 3 bags]. This is what was picked up: 1st week = 4 bags 2nd week = 3 bags 3rd week = 0 bags 4th week = 7 bags. He had a total of fourteen bags. Because he was allowed a maximum of twelve bags he was billed $3.00 for the two extra bags. Return to top of page ABOUT - 35.) Where is PFI Rubbish's office located? We are located on Pawai Place in the Old Industrial Area, between Kona Coast Office Supply and Service rentals. We are now in our new street front office, formally Affordable Printing. Please see the About PFI & Location page for directions. Return to top of page ABOUT - 36.) What is PFI's office hours? PFI's office hours are between 9am and 4pm Monday through Friday. Our voice mailbox is on 24 hours a day and we have a secure drop box on our door for payments. Return to top of page ABOUT - 37.) Is PFI Rubbish associated with BFI or Pacific Waste? No. BFI - or Allied Waste - is no longer on the Big Island. Pacific Waste is a commercial dumpster and roll-off service. Return to top of page MISC - 38.) What's the number for the electric / phone / gas / water / cable company? Please see the Helpful Phone Numbers page or consult your phone book. Return to top of page MISC - 49.) I tried to speak to a PFI driver, but he just ignored me. Due to the volume of noise from both the truck's engine and the compactor, the driver cannot hear you. Unless you are in his line of sight he doesn't know you are there. Return to top of page MISC - 40.) You driver was speeding in my neighborhood. We sincerely apologize for any recklessness on the part of our drivers. Each and every driver is cautioned against speeding, especially within areas with narrow streets. If you will let us know which day and area you saw the truck speeding, we will reprimand the driver. Our trucks carry GPS devices, which allow us to monitor the truck's location and speed. However, did you actually see the truck speeding? The garbage truck's engine and packer creates a lot of noise when engaged. Often the truck sounds like it's going faster than it really is. Return to top of page MISC - 41.) Still have questions? If you still have questions, please use the Contact Us page, or you may call our office at 329-3440. Return to top of page |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
RECYCLING 24.) Can PFI take my recycling to the recycle yard for me? 25.) Is PFI part of the new HI-5 deposit program? 26.) Why was my recycling taken with/instead of my trash? BILLING AND PAYMENTS 27.) Why doesn't my bill come with a return envelope? 28) I don't understand my bill... 29.) I've lost my bill and don't know what to pay. 30.) How do I pay my bill? 31.) Can I hand my payment to the driver? 32.) Do you accept credit cards? 33.) Can I make automatic payments through my checking account? 34.) Why was I charged for extra bags? Last month I had just a few cans out. |
ABOUT PFI 35.) Where is PFI Rubbish's office located? 36.) What is PFI's office hours? 37.) Is PFI Rubbish associated with BFI or Pacific Waste? MISCELLANEOUS 38.) What's the number for the electric / phone / gas / water / cable company? 49.) I tried to speak to a PFI driver, but he just ignored me. 40.) You driver was speeding in my neighborhood. 41.) Still have questions? Contact us |